Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State chapter, has alleged that the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation is plotting to “preempt the Supreme Court” by allegedly preparing to pay withheld local government allocations in Osun into the accounts of court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, the union warned that the alleged move would amount to “gross misappropriation” and a brazen attempt to subvert the rule of law.
The statement reads: “Nigerians are well aware of the lingering crisis that has plagued local government administration in Osun State since February this year, following the seizure of local government funds by the Federal Government. This matter is currently before the Supreme Court for adjudication.
“We have, however, received credible information that officials of the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) have been instructed to prepare mandates to release Osun State local government allocations covering over eight months into accounts that do not belong to our local governments.”
Disturbingly, these accounts belong to chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who have been removed by the court as chairmen and councillors.
“We competently gathered that the Director, Federation Account, and Director, Funds (names withheld) in the OAGF’s office, under the directive of the Accountant General of the Federation, worked late into Friday night and through Saturday, processing papers and figures to facilitate this illegal diversion. These desperate moves are a clear attempt to preempt the decision of the Supreme Court.”
It demanded that the case before the Supreme Court should be allowed to run its course without anyone foisting a fait accompli on the system, insisting that the people of Osun State would not accept this injustice. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. The rule of law must prevail over political desperation”.
